Fear of spiders CAN be overcome, DIY fashion.
I hated them with a vengeance....but always thought its ridiculous, they cant hurt you, yet i'd run away, screaming like a girlie

I overcame it by picking up those short legged garden spiders, the ones that dont move fast. Piece of cake

Just built it up from there....mind i gotta say, i dont like fast long legs crawling all over me...in the cup of my hands...no problem.